Environmental Activities
and Events for Kids
Explore Your World!

• Nature Events and Activities
  

• Learn a New Skill

• Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit, Campbellsport, 920-533-8322 or email -
  • Wild Backyard Neighbors Nature Storytime. Leaping squirrels, feeding birds, and marching ants are just a few of the wild animals that call your backyard home. Discover what other critters may be happy to share your yard with you. This hour of nature fun awaits 3 to 6 year olds with accompanying adults. Ice Age Visitor Center. 6-7 p.m.
• Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, 920-868-3258 or email -
  • Birding at Weborg Point. Every Thursday in May. 8-9 a.m.

• Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, 608-356-8301 ext 140 or email -
  • Heron Rookery Watch. Come to group camp parking lot to watch the herons. We'll have a spotting scope and binoculars to borrow so you can watch the adults in their nests. Meet in the Group Camp Parking Lot on the South Shore. Stop by anytime, 6-8 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit, Campbellsport, 920-533-8322 or email -
  • Wild Backyard Neighbors Nature Storytime. Leaping squirrels, feeding birds, and marching ants are just a few of the wild animals that call your backyard home. Discover what other critters may be happy to share your yard with you. This hour of nature fun awaits 3 to 6 year olds with accompanying adults. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m.
• Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, 920-868-3258 or email -
  • Friday Trail Hike. Every Friday in May. Hikes begin at 10 a.m. at various park locations.

• Big Foot Beach State Park, Lake Geneva, 262-248-2528 or email -
  • Park Workday. Need a service project or service hours? Want to help the environment and the park? Come help at a Big Foot Beach workday! Workdays take place one Saturday a month May through October, and are flexible. Come for one or for all, stay for a while or for the whole time. Most suitable for ages 10 and up. Prepare to work outdoors. Meet at the picnic shelter. 9-11 a.m.
• Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, Grantsburg, 715-463-2739 or email -
  • Wildlife Experience Weekend. Explore the wildlife area with expert birders. Investigate the mysteries of wildlife at Crex Meadows in the auditorium followed by evening birding tour. Talk and tour beginning at the Wildlife Education and Visitor Center. 5 p.m.
• Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, 608-356-8301 ext 140 or email -
  • Wild Lunch: Animal Feeding. Watch the animals in the nature center have lunch! Watch the box turtles munch on some salad. See the water snake slurp down a fish. Look at the tree frogs as the tackle a cricket or two. Nature center. 11 a.m.
  • Frog Safari. If you are a frog fanatic, you will want to join us for this nocturnal trip to the park's kettle ponds. We'll listen for spring peepers, chorus frogs and gray tree frogs. We'll also explore what other night sounds we can hear as we hike the Johnson Moraine Trail. Bring your flashlight as we'll be hiking around dusk. Meet at the Steinke Basin parking lot. 8-9:30 p.m.
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, 414-527-0232 or email -
  • Drop-In on Epic Trees. They start small, but grow to become huge homes for animals and other plants. Drop in to plant a tree seedling, create art from leaves, write your own epic tree story and find out what happens when trees die. Drop-in anytime between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit, Campbellsport, 920-533-8322 or email -
  • Spring Journey Exploring Nature Program. After a long winter slumber, the Earth awakens with an explosion of life. Journey along the 3.1-mile Butler Lake Trail to encounter singing frogs, blooming flowers, flying birds, and all the other things spring as to offer. This program is best for people over 8 years old. Butler Lake Trail. 10 a.m. to Noon.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit, Eagle, 262-594-6200 or email -
  • Wildflower Walk. Meet at the Forest Headquarters and then caravan to the currently blooming flowers. Each hike will last about one hour, not including drive time. 10 a.m.
  • Volunteer Trail Crew. There are 22,000 acres of state forest traversed by hundreds of miles of trail. We need your help fixing eroded and washed out trails, brushing and cutting trail corridor, rerouting damaged trails and installing signs! Dress for the weather, wear sturdy boots and bring work gloves and a water bottle. Tools will be provided. Crew meets Saturdays in May and June. Location in the forest varies each week. Please call the office for details. 8 a.m.-Noon.
• Mirror Lake State Park, Lake Delton, 608-254-2333 or email -
  • Universe in the Park. Join astronomers from UW-Madison to explore the night sky. They will have a short slide show with pictures from space, then set up a big telescope to view the night sky up close. Evening.
• Red Cedar State Trail, Menomonie, 715-232-2652 or email -
  • 2nd Annual Get It Dunn Run. The Get It Dunn Run on Saturday, May 18 offers a 5K and half marathon. The half marathon covers the countryside on the outskirts of Menomonie. The early part of the race challenges runners with some hills, but finishes late with a run on the Red Cedar State Trail that follows the scenic Red Cedar River. Start time is 8:30 a.m. For more information or to register, please see Get It Dunn Run [exit DNR].
• Roche-A-Cri State Park, Friendship, 608-565-2789 -
  • Breakfast with the Birds. Meet at the prairie parking lot for an early morning bird hike through the prairie to the kiosk shelter. Breakfast will be available from the Friends of Roche-A-Cri at the shelter. 6-9 a.m.
• Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, 920-823-2400 or email -
  • Spring Exploration. Join Dale and Mary Goodner for an exploration of nature. Through stories and science, you'll learn about the flora and fauna found along the rocky shores, forest floor and sunny openings. Gather for this meandering walk that is short in distance, but full of discoveries! Walk begins at the Nature Center. 10 a.m.

• Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, Grantsburg, 715-463-2739 or email -
  • Wildlife Experience Weekend. Early risers will enjoy an excursion into the marshes in search of marsh birds (4-7 a.m.) Or sleep in a bit for a tour from 7-10 a.m. searching for spring migrants and returning resident birds. Cost for 4 a.m. tour is $10; cost for 7 a.m. tour is $5. Please pre-register. Meet at the Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitor Center 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.

• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, 414-527-0232 or email -
  • Bat Walk. Join Havenwoods staff for a twilight bat hike. We'll spend a short time inside learning about Wisconsin's bats. Then we'll head outside with a bat detector to listen for bats and collect data for the Wisconsin DNR. This hike is for adults and youth ages 12 and older. 8-9:30 p.m.
• Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, 920-868-3258 or email -
  • Nature Center Training. Training for summer naturalists in the nature center.

• Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, 920-868-3258 or email -
  • Birding at Weborg Point. Every Thursday in May. 8-9 a.m.

• Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, 608-356-8301 ext 140 or email -
  • Lawn Chair Bat Watch. The bats are back and it's a great time to bring a comfy lawn chair and watch them. We'll park our chairs outside the Chateau (North Shore) and watch the bats emerge from their houses. We'll have fun bat information and a bat scavenger hunt for the kids to do while we wait for the bats to emerge. Meet at the Chateau. 8 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit, Campbellsport, 920-533-8322 or email -
  • Step into the Night Hike. As the sun sets and the light fades from the sky, the day animals retire and a new group of animals awakens. We will explore the world of the crepuscular (active at dusk and dawn) and nocturnal (active at night) animals. Bring your bug spray and sense of adventure as we explore the darkness for nature's night lights. This night hike is best for families/groups with children at least 5 years old. Zillmer Trails Area. 8:30-10 p.m.
• Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, 920-868-3258 or email -
  • Friday Trail Hike. Every Friday in May. Hikes begin at 10 a.m. at various park locations.

• Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, 608-356-8301 ext 140 or email -
  • Wild Lunch: Animal Feeding. Watch the animals in the nature center have lunch! Watch the box turtles munch on some salad. See the water snake slurp down a fish. Look at the tree frogs as the tackle a cricket or two. Nature center. 11 a.m.
  • Photo Scavenger Hunt. We're going to go on a scavenger hunt and you'll need to take pictures of what you need to find! Bring a camera or borrow one from the nature center. We have a very limited supply of cameras to loan. Meet at the Nature Center. 1-2:30 p.m.
• Governor Dodge State Park, Dodgeville, 608-935-2315 or email -
  • Universe in the Park. Join astronomers from UW-Madison to explore the night sky. They will have a short slide show with pictures from space, then set up a big telescope to view the night sky up close. Evening.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit, Campbellsport, 920-533-8322 or email -
  • Extreme Saturday Morning. Calling all youth to come explore the extremes of nature by participating in the Wisconsin Explorers program! The program involves completing a required number of activities in one of three age appropriate books (ages 3-5; ages 6-8; and ages 9+) to earn a very cool patch. Get help from a naturalist who will work with youth on activities from one of the first four topic areas of the books. Mauthe Lake or Long Lake Recreation Area. 10-11 a.m.
  • Tree-mendous Trees: Drop In at the Beach. Stop in to find out how the "tree"mendous trees touch almost all parts of our lives. Everyone is invited to drop in for a few minutes or more than an hour for some nature fun. Adults are encouraged to participate with their children. Mauthe Lake Recreation Area. 1-4 p.m.
  • Meet the Ranger. Have you ever wondered what a forest ranger's job actually involves? Then come learn more about what they do and the tools they use as part of their duties. Everyone is invited to stop in to meet one the Northern Unit's law enforcement rangers. Mauthe Lake Recreation Area. 3-4 p.m.
  • Summer Saturday Evening Taste of Nature: Wild Edibles. Sponsored by Friends of the Kettle Moraine. If you know where to look, nature can provide a whole smorgasbord of food. Join Jackie Scharfenberg, Forest Naturalist to learn what plants are safe to eat and let your taste buds decide which are "good" to eat. This program is most appropriate for people over 8 years old. Ice Age Visitor Center. 7-8:30 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit, Eagle, 262-594-6200 or email -
  • Wildflower Walk. Meet at the Forest Headquarters and then caravan to the currently blooming flowers. Each hike will last about one hour, not including drive time. 10 a.m.
  • Volunteer Trail Crew. There are 22,000 acres of state forest traversed by hundreds of miles of trail. We need your help fixing eroded and washed out trails, brushing and cutting trail corridor, rerouting damaged trails and installing signs! Dress for the weather, wear sturdy boots and bring work gloves and a water bottle. Tools will be provided. Crew meets Saturdays in May and June. Location in the forest varies each week. Please call the office for details. 8 a.m.-Noon.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, 920-451-4080 or email -
  • Rock Collecting for Fun. Join Ed Mindock for a presentation on rock collecting as a hobby. A hands-on approach to beginning and understanding rock collecting and having fun doing it. All ages welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult. Sanderling Nature Center. 2 p.m.
• Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, 920-868-3258 or email -
  • Smokey Bear Visit. Smokey Bear will be at various locations in the park to greet visitors throughout the day.
• Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, 920-823-2400 or email -
  • Spring along the Shore. Take a stroll to discover ancient life and geologic history among blooming flowers. Search the rocky shore for hidden treasures. We will be walking on uneven ground. Dress for the weather. Meet at the nature center for this rough terrain walk. 10 a.m.
  • Spring in the Dunes. Feel the soft sand between your toes on this hike of discovery. Walk the beach side of the dune to explore the spring flora then continue the search in the forested dunes. Dress for the weather. Meet at the nature center for this longer walk. 1:30 p.m.
• Wyalusing State Park, Prairie du Chien, 608-996-2261 or email -
  • Astronomy Program. Astronomy programs will be held on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month, May through October, at the observatory. Programs start at 8:30 p.m.

• Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, 608-356-8301 ext 140 or email -
  • Go Back in Time - West Bluff. What happened to Palisades Park, known as the Catskills of the Midwest? Learn about the north shore hotels. Discover who put in the stone staircases and much more. This is can be a challenging hike as we head up the bluff from the north shore. Meet at the nature center. 10 a.m. to noon.
  • Drop-in on Mammals. Who are the mammals in your neighborhood? Find out what mammals are found at Devil's Lake, test your mammal ID skills, check out some mammal pelts and more. Activities will happen at the North Shore Beach by the Chateau. 1:30-3:30 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit, Campbellsport, 920-533-8322 or email -
  • Tree-mendous Trees: Drop In at the Beach. Stop in to find out how the "tree"mendous trees touch almost all parts of our lives. Everyone is invited to drop in for a few minutes or more than an hour for some nature fun. Adults are encouraged to participate with their children. Long Lake Recreation Area. Noon to 3 p.m.
• Lake Kegonsa State Park, Stoughton, 608-873-9695 or email -
  • Universe in the Park. Join astronomers from UW-Madison to explore the night sky. They will have a short slide show with pictures from space, then set up a big telescope to view the night sky up close. Evening.
• Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, 920-823-2400 or email -
  • Wandering of Wildflowers. Discover the beauty within wildflowers. Learn their how they got their names, how to identify them and where to find these delicate beauties. Share the morning with the naturalist. Dress for the weather and meet at the nature center. 10 a.m.
  • Wetland Discovery. Explore the cool critters found in the wetland on this wet hike. Use the dip nets to see these amazing critters. Learn how wetlands are important to everyone. Dress for the weather. Meet at the nature center for this longer program. 1:30 p.m.

• Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, 608-356-8301 ext 140 or email -
  • Monday Strolls: Animal Evidence. Devil's Lake is home to a great number of wildlife, but we rarely see them. We'll stroll along looking for the evidence these animals leave behind to help us learn about them. Meet at the nature center. 11 a.m. to noon.

• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, 414-527-0232 or email -
  • Preschool Storytime: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Bug. Look out your window some summer night, and you may see tiny twinkles in your yard. Come find out about the magical lights called fireflies. Preschool storytimes are for children ages 3-5 and their parents, grandparents or other adult. These programs are not for day care centers or organizations. 9:30-10:30 a.m.

• Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, 920-868-3258 or email -
  • Birding at Weborg Point. Every Thursday in May. 8-9 a.m.

• Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, 920-868-3258 or email -
  • Friday Trail Hike. Every Friday in May. Hikes begin at 10 a.m. at various park locations.

The Department of Natural Resources offers several classes to help you learn how to safely participate in many of Wisconsin's favorite sports. Simply click on the title of the sport listed below to find out more about it. These links leave EEK! and go to the main DNR pages.

• Learn to Hunt (Leaves EEK!)
• Upcoming Activities at Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center (Leaves EEK!)
• Fishing Clinics and Other Learning Opportunities (Leaves EEK!)
• Boating Safety Education (Leaves EEK!)
• Bowhunter Education (NBEF Certified) (Leaves EEK!)
• Hunter Education (Leaves EEK!)
• Snowmobile Safety Education (Leaves EEK!)
• Trapper Education (Leaves EEK!)